I wonder if some of these big juvenile gulls could be hybrids. I have given up trying to identify them…
All things come and go:
People, seasons, the wind.
Only the sea remains,
the sea’s breakers repeating themselves.
Never the same.
Always the same.
~ Kolbein Falkeid
(Sea & Sky)
I love the beautiful soft browns. I think it should be named the “Latte Gull” because the mixture of white and brown bring to mind frothy coffee.
Love the name, Laurie. On my next visit to the beach I started identifying these giant babies as latte gulls. 🙂
Gulls can be notoriously difficult to identify- some have 1st year plumage, 2nd year plumage, and adult plumage. One gull’s 2nd year plumage might look like another gull’s 1st year plumage…it can be quite a challenge!
You know, Tracy, last summer I bought a huge Peterson reference guidebook, “Gulls of the Americas,” complete with zillions of pictures of all the different gulls in all their various life stages, including breeding and non-breeding adults. Right in the preface it says identifying them can vex the most experienced observers. It sure is a challenge!
I couldn’t begin to identify these fellas. Just enjoying your photographs…
So glad you’re enjoying the latte gulls, Kathy. They do seem to love to pose and seem as curious about me as I am of them.